Sea Power Summary

“Why do the seas matter? Because they don’t just separate us, they connect us, shaping our history, economy, and future.”

1. The Immense Influence of the Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is not just the largest body of water on Earth; it is a force that has shaped human exploration, commerce, and geopolitics. With its vast 64 million square miles, it dwarfs all combined landmasses. Historically, its expanse made it one of the last frontiers for explorers, beginning with European navigators like Ferdinand Magellan in the 1500s, who risked everything to traverse this treacherous sea.

James Cook, a British naval captain in the late 1700s, charted large swaths of the Pacific, including many Hawaiian and Polynesian islands, enhancing global understanding of this region. This set the stage for territorial acquisitions like Hawaii, which became an important American hub during the time of coal-powered vessels. The Pacific blended trade possibilities and power struggles in a way that continues to ripple through to our modern age.

The Pacific's strategic value was underscored by the annexation of Alaska from Russia in 1867, termed “Seward’s Folly” at the time. Yet Alaska became a gateway to resources and geopolitics, particularly as climate changes today make Arctic routes viable through its waters.

Examples

• Explorers like Magellan reached Guam and the Philippines, mapping new worlds.
• James Cook mapped Western Canada, Hawaii, and New Zealand, connecting disparate regions.
• Hawaii continues to serve as the United States’ Pacific gateway over a century later.

2. The Pacific Theatre: A Hub of Conflict

The Pacific Ocean has been the stage for historical and modern conflicts. During World War II, it became the vast setting for the United States’ island-hopping strategy against entrenched Japanese forces. The Pacific Theater spanned distances akin to that between Britain and the Persian Gulf, highlighting its immense logistical and strategic challenges.

Looking further back, Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 drew the United States into WWII, a technique Japan had refined from earlier conflicts, like its unexpected 1894 assault on Chinese forces. Such strategies reveal how deeply the Pacific region was tied to military innovation and expansionism.

In recent years, military spending in countries bordering the Pacific has soared. For instance, China boosted its military budget significantly between 2013 and 2015, presenting a growing threat in regions like the South China Sea. Current arms races underscore challenges that could lead to future conflict if not carefully managed.

Examples

• The 1941 Pearl Harbor attack shifted US involvement in WWII.
• Japan’s prior 1894 ambush of Chinese convoys demonstrated aggressive military strategy.
• China increased defense spending by 26% in just two years (2013-2015), exceeding that of Western nations.

3. Vikings and Portuguese Exploration Shaped the Atlantic

The Atlantic Ocean occupies a huge 40 million square miles and has historically been a gateway for adventure and economic expansion. The Vikings, driven by ambition and storms, were the first Europeans recorded to spot lands west of Europe. Bjarni Herjolfsson's misadventure in the 10th century led to the sighting of North America’s distant shores.

Centuries later, Portuguese explorers ushered in a golden era of Atlantic navigation and discovery. Prince Henry the Navigator, Vasco de Gama, and Pedro Álvares Cabral leveraged new ships and stellar navigation to tie Europe to Africa and the Americas, significantly accelerating globalization. Yet, these routes also became avenues for exploitation, exemplified by the transatlantic slave trade.

The Atlantic, once an uncharted mystery, became a bridge linking continents, laying the groundwork for the economic empires that transformed Europe and the Americas.

Examples

• Vikings documented distant western lands as early as 1,000 years ago.
• Portuguese sailors mapped quick water routes using currents and stars.
• Transatlantic trade routes carried goods and tragically fueled slavery.

4. British Supremacy in Atlantic Naval Warfare

Great Britain rose as the Atlantic's supreme maritime power through the careful cultivation of naval strength. By the 1500s, King Henry VIII initiated a robust shipbuilding program. England’s lighter, more maneuverable ships allowed them to triumph over heavier Spanish galleons, carving out a naval edge.

The Royal Navy defeated a series of rivals, including the Dutch and French, securing critical colonies like Canada and Caribbean islands. Even when the British lost to Franco-American forces during the Revolutionary War, they swiftly reasserted their naval expertise through campaigns like their defense against Napoleon in the early 1800s.

The Battle of the Atlantic during WWII further highlighted British intelligence and naval prowess. Defeating German U-boats safeguarded vital supply lines to allied forces, once again affirming British maritime strength in global warfare.

Examples

• England’s agile fleets outmatched Spain’s armada in the late 1500s.
• Victories over France gained Britain global colonies, including Canada.
• In WWII, advanced sonar helped Britain neutralize German U-boats.

5. Strategic Importance of the Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean has long been a trading hub, connecting the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Prosperous trade in spices, silk, and gold established this ocean as vital in both ancient Greek times and later British conquest.

During the 19th century, British dominance of key territories like Egypt and India, coupled with the Suez Canal's opening, reinforced the Indian Ocean’s economic significance. Resource discoveries dramatically increased its value; in the mid-20th century, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain transitioned from fishing villages to oil-rich powerhouses.

Trade through this ocean remains vital, facilitating 50% of global shipping. Yet, its reliance has also triggered disputes, such as ongoing tensions between China, India, and Pakistan, magnifying the area's geopolitical importance.

Examples

• Portuguese explorers controlled Indian Ocean routes in the 1400s.
• British rule expanded through entities like the East India Company.
• Countries like Bahrain rose to prominence due to massive oil wealth.

6. The Fragility of the Arctic and Its Potential Wealth

The Arctic Ocean is becoming an accessible maritime route, driven by global warming-induced ice melting. This environmental shift poses threats, like methane gas release, but also reveals hidden opportunities, from oil deposits to shortened trade routes.

Russia, possessing advanced icebreaking ships, leads the Arctic race, vying for control against the United States, Canada, and Norway. Meanwhile, the US’s lack of Arctic infrastructure remains a weakness. To capitalize on Arctic accessibility, increased investment in icebreakers and Arctic bases is urgently needed.

The purchase of Alaska decades ago is proving prescient as the Arctic grows increasingly important in resource and trade negotiations.

Examples

• Russia controls over 30 icebreakers; the US has only three.
• Alaskan territories position the US for Arctic claims.
• New Arctic routes could cut shipping times between Asia and Europe.

7. The Perils of Overfishing and Pollution

Human activity is harming the oceans. Global overfishing has depleted fish stocks to half of their 1970s levels, pushing ecosystems to the brink. Industrial and agricultural pollution adds to this crisis, with an estimated 500 million gallons of toxins entering oceans annually.

Piracy also flourishes in unstable regions like the Gulf of Guinea, where many resort to maritime crime due to local poverty or extremist funding. Combating these issues requires coordinated international action, from enforcing fishing quotas to addressing political instability.

Examples

• Fish stocks have halved since the 1970s due to overfishing.
• Toxins equivalent to Exxon Valdez spills are dumped yearly.
• Boko Haram-backed piracy targets Gulf of Guinea ships.

8. Reviving the Caribbean with Cooperation

The Caribbean has shifted from historical piracy to struggles with narcotics and poverty. U.S. policies often prioritize enforcement over assistance. By contrast, a humanitarian approach could reduce violence and improve governance across these islands.

Cuba illustrates this tension. Though easing restrictions has thawed relations, an enduring dictatorship and conflicting claims over Guantanamo Bay hinder progress. Establishing Guantanamo as a humanitarian hub could boost regional partnerships.

Examples

• Hurricanes frequently devastate Caribbean economies.
• Travel normalization between the US and Cuba could expand cooperation.
• Drug trafficking through Caribbean islands feeds regional violence.

9. Naval Power Hinges on Policy, Investment, and Allies

A nation's naval strength relies on geography and deliberate planning. To thrive, nations must prioritize strategic alliances, robust fleets, and forward-thinking policies. The United States, positioned by its coastlines, could strengthen its role by diversifying ties in areas like the Indian and Arctic Oceans.

Adequate resources, allied cooperation, and sustainable practices would set the stage for continued U.S. maritime relevance.

Examples

• NATO complements US naval operations worldwide.
• Arctic expansion needs more operational US ports.
• Stronger alliances with Indian Ocean nations bolster influence.

Takeaways

1. Invest in environmental policies to combat overfishing and pollution while stabilizing maritime ecosystems.
2. Strengthen strategic military alliances and infrastructure in regions like the Arctic and Indian Oceans.
3. Prioritize humanitarian engagement in troubled areas, including the Caribbean, to foster long-term security and prosperity.